I agree with the eye contact more than the blinking being the cause. I've had bear come in and look at me in the stand with no problem. But they disappear as soon as I make eye contact with them...and this is one predator to another. I use a leafy-cut camo head cover that has a cut-out for my eyes and a little brim. I pull the brim down over my eyes and look through the mesh to avoid the eye contact.